5 Strange Yet True WSOP November Nine Facts

The 2015 WSOP Main Event final table kicks off Sunday night on ESPN. This year’s November Nine features an eclectic mix of players and storylines. Will we see a senior citizen take the November Nine or will Joe McKeehen become the first chip leader since Jonathan Duhamel to win it all?

While most of us are looking forward to the upcoming contest, we thought it may be fun to look back at the past November Nine final tables and present you some strange, but true historical facts about the November Nine.

No Virgins in 2015

For the first time in November Nine history, every member of the WSOP final table has at least cashed at the WSOP. Joshua Beckley has earned the least among the November Nine with four cashes worth $19,403.

Peter Eastgate made the November Nine and won the 2008 WSOP Main Event for his first career WSOP cash. Darvin Moon, Jay Farber and Felix Stephensen were first time cashers who finished runner-up in their respective Main Events.

Newhouse’s 2014 Epic Run was Also Epic Fail

Mark Newhouse made history last year by becoming the first person to make back-to-back November Nine final tables. Unfortunately, he also had the worst freefall in November Nine history.

Coming into the final table third in chips, Newhouse steadily slid down the leaderboard and busted in 9th place, the same as in 2013. In the past, the worst that a top-three starting stack had finished was 6th place.

Martin Jacobson Greatest Comeback in November Nine History

Last year, Martin Jacobson started as the second shortest stack and steadily worked his way up the leaderboard. Ultimately, he faced and defeated Felix Stephensen heads-up for the Main Event title and $10 million.

Jacobson’s win made history as he made the biggest November Nine comeback in history. Previously, Pius Heinz came back from a 7th place stack to win the 2011 WSOP Main Event.

Patrick Chan and Federico Butteroni will have to get lucky or run hot early to repeat the same feat. They both start with less than half of Jacobson’s starting stack in 2014.

Nobody Remembers Second Place – They Never Win

Amazingly, the player starting second in chips has never won the November Nine. Only twice have they finished in second. Ivan Demidov finished second in the inaugural November Nine in 2008 and Felix Stephensen finished second in 2014.

The other two spots that have never produced a champion are the sixth spot and the short stack or ninth spot.

Better to Start Fifth Rather Than First If You Want to Win

Over the past seven November Nine final tables, the eventual winner has twice come from the #5 spot while only one chip leader has successfully taken the crown. Joe Cada started 5th in 2009 and beat Darvin Moon for the title. In 2013, Ryan Riess took the title after starting in fifth chip position.

James Guill

Follow James

James Guill began his poker career in 2006, spending two years traveling the US tournament circuit. Since 2008, he has covered the game extensively for some of the biggest names in the industry. When not writing about the latest poker news, he can be found hunting for antique treasures in Central Virginia.